Roman Thomas, senior, signs in at the kiosk, “I prefer the written passes,” Thomas said, ‘The teachers usually handle KidAccount for us. And sometimes it seems too complicated.”

KidAccount is the new method of passing U. City has started to implement this year. It takes giving passes to a whole new level. KidAccount is a digital pass system that is defined by the KidAccount website as a “completely integrated daily school safety software that enables schools to easily account for the safety and security of every student, staff, and visitor- all day, every day.” KidAccount has 20+ years of experience with providing safety solutions for schools. With 20 plus years of experience and more than two million students dismissals per month, they felt like the logical choice for a new pass system. 

”Kid Account was brought forward due to safety concerns,” Dr. Michael Peoples, principal and director of secondary education, said. “We’re able to have more access to student whereabouts and information.”

KidAccount is simple to use, and there are two ways to use it. The first way is for teachers to administer passes by choosing the student name and location. When the student arrives at their destination, that teacher can mark them in. The other way to use the system is through the student kiosks. The kiosk is a student-friendly version where students use a code given by the teacher to sign themselves out. Then all they have to do when they arrive at their destination is click in. 

“It holds students accountable if being utilized correctly,” Richard Matthews, safety, wellness and restorative director, said. 

The administration feels that KidAccount is nothing but a positive change to increase accountability among staff and students and to increase productivity in class. 

  “It gives us a different angle to take in some of the aspects we have with the kids,” Matthews said.

However students feel more apprehensive about this pivotal change.

“It doesn’t feel reliable because not every pass goes through and it takes more effort to check who has a pass and who doesn’t,” Alonna Holman, sophomore, said. 

Roman Thomas, senior, agrees. 

“A paper pass is much simpler and convenient,” Thomas said.

However, this opinion isn’t universal. Some feel that with the increase in technology, this change makes more sense to keep up with the times.

“The new passes keep the hallways clear; the digital passes are more efficient,” Dallas Hill, senior, said. 

Some also feel that it was a needed addition to improve our school climate. 

“It’s better because we can keep track of how long students are outside of class,” Damorian Smith, sophomore, said. 

All of these students have different opinions about the new tech giant for U. City. Any new change comes with apprehension and curiosity. However, one thing is for sure. KidAccount has shifted the way things operate around U. City. It allows the high school community to take a step toward a more technologically advanced way of learning.